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A Message from Broward County District 8 Commissioner Barbara Sharief

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Happy New Year! We had a great 2014 and I welcome you to join me in bringing in 2015 and making it another great year for our Broward County residents.

This year, Broward County will be celebrating its 100th year! With the theme: “Celebrating The Art of Community!” Broward 100 will commemorate Broward County’s centennial with bold, innovative art and performance projects that attract visitors and bring Broward residents together using our arts, sports and recreation venues, natural attractions and incredible diversity. As a part of our Birthday celebration, we would like to honor Broward residents and businesses that will reach their 100th birthday in 2015. If you know any person or business that is know. Email me at bsharief@broward.org or call 954-357- 7008. For more information about our centennial celebrations, go to Broward100.org

I welcome your comments and want to hear which issues are important to you. Send an e-mail to me at bsharief@Broward.org or call my office at 954-357-7008. Also, check out my Facebook page at Facebook.com/barbara.sharief" or on Twitter at Twitter.com/bestmom39.

I wish all of you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2015!

Barbara

BCC Meetings: Now Available On Demand

As part of Broward County’s ongoing commitment to transparency, video recordings of Commission meetings are now archived online and available for on-demand viewing by noon the day after the meeting on our Commission Meetings and Agenda webpage. You can now enjoy the convenience of viewing Commission meetings 24/7. County Commission meetings are televised live on most Tuesdays beginning at 10AM. You can watch those meetings on Comcast channels 12 and 77, Advance Communications channels 25 and 42, and AT&T U-verse channel 99. They are also live, on-line at Broward.org Video Central. The meetings are rebroadcast each Friday starting at 5:30PM.

The Big Read

Broward County Libraries has received a $20,000 grant to participate in a communitywide reading project funded by a National Endowment for the Arts grant called “The Big Read.” It will take place in Broward County from January 10 – February 28, 2015 and will feature Harper Lee’s classic American novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Commissioner Sharief and other County Commissioners have enthusiastically joined the campaign. For a list of all library events go to Broward.org/Library.

“We know all men are not created equal in the sense some people would have us believe - some people are smarter than others, some people have more opportunity because they're born with it, some men make more money than others, some ladies make better cakes than others - some people are born gifted beyond the normal scope of men.

"But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal - there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president. That institution, gentlemen, is a court.” -- Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

Affordable Healthcare Act

Open enrollment in the 2015 Health Insurance Marketplace will provide information to families and small businesses that currently don’t have insurance, or need an alternative to what they currently have. Open enrollment in the Marketplace began on November 15, 2014. To enroll, visit Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 (24 hours a day/7 days a week).

Here are the most important dates for 2015 coverage:

January 1, 2015: The date 2015 coverage can start if you applied by December 15, 2014, or if you accept automatic enrollment in your 2014 plan or a similar plan. For more information, visit HealthCare.gov and select KEEP OR CHANGE YOUR PLAN.

February 15, 2015: The last day to enroll in 2015 coverage. If you miss this deadline, you can’t sign up for a health plan inside or outside the Marketplace for the rest of 2015. The only exception is if you qualify for a special enrollment period.

There is no limited enrollment period for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or for small businesses to enroll in SHOP coverage for their employees. You can apply at any time.

on County Boards

We are seeking residents with an interest in public service to represent the needs of the district. If you are interested in being considered, please forward a detailed resumé to bsharief@broward.org. Be sure to include your permanent address, phone number and email address; whether you are a registered voter; whether you are a registered lobbyist; whether you serve on any other board, authority or agency (dual office holding); whether you are related to any Commissioner; and whether you have any potential conflicting business relationship. For a description of Boards, visit Broward.org/Intergovernmental and select BOARDS AND COMMITTEES.

Small Business Resources

The Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) supports Broward County businesses and their success by providing a comprehensive roster of client-focused services. Technical assistance is available to local businesses in a range of topics from information on current public procurement opportunities to financing. Firms interested in OESBD technical assistance services should call 954-357-6400 or visit Broward.org/EconDev. Free seminars are designed to provide the South Florida business community with a working knowledge of Florida’s participation in the States Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). The U.S. Department of Treasury allocated more than $97.6 million to implement the SSBCI which supports Florida’s two major programs benefitting small businesses in need of financing.

In addition, the Miramar-based AvanzeCorp, Inc., has launched “150 in 1 Year” to assist entrepreneurs with resources during start-up and mentoring for their first five years in business. The 150 seats will be on a first come, first served basis. Call AvanzeCorp Inc. at 888-848-7771 or email at info@avanzecorp.com to register.

Foreclosures and Housing Assistance

If you received a foreclosure or eviction notice from the Broward Sheriff’s Office, you should also receive a resource guide listing the agencies that may be able to help you in the foreclosure process or to obtain alternate housing. For information regarding the National Mortgage Settlement you can contact the National Mortgage Settlement Administrator at 1-866-430-8358. For information regarding the Making Home Affordable Program – a mortgage modification program - call 888-995-HOPE (4673) and for further assistance with home buying or foreclosure call the Housing Foundation of America at 954-923-5001.

Story 8 HeadlineHelpful Resources

Broward County Family Success Administration Division assists individuals and families with accessing the services they need to build a stronger, healthier and self-sufficient family unit. The centers provide assessment and case management, and, if eligible, rent/mortgage and utility assistance. If you have recently had a loss of income, received an eviction notice/mortgage default letter, or a water/electricity shut off notice, visit Broward.org/HumanServices/FamilySuccess/ or call 954-357-5650 or 954-357-5001 to find out how they can help you. The South Family Success Center is located in Commission District 8 at 4733 S.W. 18 Street, West Park, 33023 (Broward County Transit Route 5). If you are over 60, or are a veteran, contact the Elderly and Veteran's Services Division at 954-357-6622.

2-1-1 Broward is available 24 hours a day to help you find food, housing, health care, senior services, child care, legal aid and much more. For a complete list of services, dial 2-1-1 or (954) 537-0211, TTY (954) 390-0492 211, or go to 211-broward.com/.

To receive communications (such as this newsletter) from my office via email, or to arrange for myself or my Community Outreach Liaison, Launa Carbonell to attend your neighborhood or homeowner association meeting, please contact Launa at 954-357-7008 or lcarbonell@broward.org.

Other Resources

For Access to Healthcare or Relief from Homelessness:

Broward.org/CommunityPartnerships

954-357-8647

Emergency Financial Assistance:

Broward.org/Family

954-357-6367

Legal Aid Services of Broward County, Inc.

www.legalaid.org/broward

954-765-8950

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BCC Meetings: Now Available On Demand

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As part of Broward County’s ongoing commitment to transparency, video recordings of Commission meetings are now archived online and available for on-demand viewing by noon the day after the meeting on our Commission Meetings and Agenda webpage. You can now enjoy the convenience of viewing Commission meetings 24/7. County Commission meetings are televised live on most Tuesdays beginning at 10AM. You can watch those meetings on Comcast channels 12 and 77, Advance Communications channels 25 and 42, and AT&T U-verse channel 99. They are also live, on-line at Broward.org Video Central. The meetings are rebroadcast each Friday starting at 5:30PM.

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The Big Read

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Broward County Libraries has received a $20,000 grant to participate in a communitywide reading project funded by a National Endowment for the Arts grant called “The Big Read.” It will take place in Broward County from January 10 – February 28, 2015 and will feature Harper Lee’s classic American novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Commissioner Sharief and other County Commissioners have enthusiastically joined the campaign. For a list of all library events go to Broward.org/Library.

“We know all men are not created equal in the sense some people would have us believe - some people are smarter than others, some people have more opportunity because they're born with it, some men make more money than others, some ladies make better cakes than others - some people are born gifted beyond the normal scope of men.

"But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal - there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president. That institution, gentlemen, is a court.” -- Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

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Affordable Healthcare Act

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Open enrollment in the 2015 Health Insurance Marketplace will provide information to families and small businesses that currently don’t have insurance, or need an alternative to what they currently have. Open enrollment in the Marketplace began on November 15, 2014. To enroll, visit Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 (24 hours a day/7 days a week). Here are the most important dates for 2015 coverage:

January 1, 2015: The date 2015 coverage can start if you applied by December 15, 2014, or if you accept automatic enrollment in your 2014 plan or a similar plan. For more information, visit HealthCare.gov and select KEEP OR CHANGE YOUR PLAN.

February 15, 2015: The last day to enroll in 2015 coverage. If you miss this deadline, you can’t sign up for a health plan inside or outside the Marketplace for the rest of 2015. The only exception is if you qualify for a special enrollment period.

There is no limited enrollment period for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or for small businesses to enroll in SHOP coverage for their employees. You can apply at any time.

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Serving on County Boards

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We are seeking residents with an interest in public service to represent the needs of the district. If you are interested in being considered, please forward a detailed resumé to bsharief@broward.org. Be sure to include your permanent address, phone number and email address; whether you are a registered voter; whether you are a registered lobbyist; whether you serve on any other board, authority or agency (dual office holding); whether you are related to any Commissioner; and whether you have any potential conflicting business relationship. For a description of Boards, visit Broward.org/Intergovernmental and select BOARDS AND COMMITTEES.

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Small Business Resources

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The Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) supports Broward County businesses and their success by providing a comprehensive roster of client-focused services. Technical assistance is available to local businesses in a range of topics from information on current public procurement opportunities to financing. Firms interested in OESBD technical assistance services should call 954-357-6400 or visit Broward.org/EconDev. Free seminars are designed to provide the South Florida business community with a working knowledge of Florida’s participation in the States Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). The U.S. Department of Treasury allocated more than $97.6 million to implement the SSBCI which supports Florida’s two major programs benefitting small businesses in need of financing.

In addition, the Miramar-based AvanzeCorp, Inc., has launched “150 in 1 Year” to assist entrepreneurs with resources during start-up and mentoring for their first five years in business. The 150 seats will be on a first come, first served basis. Call AvanzeCorp Inc. at 888-848-7771 or email at info@avanzecorp.com to register.

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Foreclosures and Housing Assistance

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If you received a foreclosure or eviction notice from the Broward Sheriff’s Office, you should also receive a resource guide listing the agencies that may be able to help you in the foreclosure process or to obtain alternate housing. For information regarding the National Mortgage Settlement you can contact the National Mortgage Settlement Administrator at 1-866-430-8358. For information regarding the Making Home Affordable Program – a mortgage modification program - call 888-995-HOPE (4673) and for further assistance with home buying or foreclosure call the Housing Foundation of America at 954-923-5001.

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Helpful Resources

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Broward County Family Success Administration Division assists individuals and families with accessing the services they need to build a stronger, healthier and self-sufficient family unit. The centers provide assessment and case management, and, if eligible, rent/mortgage and utility assistance. If you have recently had a loss of income, received an eviction notice/mortgage default letter, or a water/electricity shut off notice, visit Broward.org/HumanServices/FamilySuccess/ or call 954-357-5650 or 954-357-5001 to find out how they can help you. The South Family Success Center is located in Commission District 8 at 4733 S.W. 18 Street, West Park, 33023 (Broward County Transit Route 5). If you are over 60, or are a veteran, contact the Elderly and Veteran's Services Division at 954-357-6622.

2-1-1 Broward is available 24 hours a day to help you find food, housing, health care, senior services, child care, legal aid and much more. For a complete list of services, dial 2-1-1 or (954) 537-0211, TTY (954) 390-0492 211, or go to 211-broward.com/.

To receive communications (such as this newsletter) from my office via email, or to arrange for myself or my Community Outreach Liaison, Launa Carbonell to attend your neighborhood or homeowner association meeting, please contact Launa at 954-357-7008 or lcarbonell@broward.org.